MIDDLEBURGH - Middleburgh elementary school fourth students are learning some “keys” to success. They are mastering keyboarding skills in the library with focus and fun. Accuracy, speed and smiles all around.
Photos courtesy of Middleburgh Central School.
Remember to Subscribe!
Voting Machine, circa 1925
In Honor of Election Day
This nearly 100-year-old voting machine was made by the Automatic Registering Machine Corporation of Jamestown, NY, and used in Schoharie County until the 1960s. It now resides in our Jackson Law Office exhibit and was sent to us by the Old Stone Fort’s own Clay Edmunds.
The machine lists four parties, Republican, Democratic, Independence, and Conservative. Voters cast their ballots by moving the wooden handle to the right, making their selection, and then returning it.
Upper Fort Illustration by Rufus Grider
The stone house depicted was owned by Johannes Feeck, whose daughter Margaret “Peggy” Feeck married Timothy Murphy. During the American Revolution, the home was fortified and became known as the Upper Fort.
When Johnson’s forces raided the valley, they bypassed the fort, but its defenders spotted them and fired cannons to warn the surrounding settlements.
Remember to Subscribe!
MIDDLEBURGH - Come to Middleburgh high school for a Knight at the Theater featuring talented students on Friday, November 7 and 8 at 7 p.m. in the school auditorium – doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Enjoy:
* The Board by Laverne Kehr.
* Five-Minute Two Character Comedy Sketches by Tim Mogford.
* Not My Cup of Tea by A.F. Groff.
Tickets are $10 for general admission and $8 for students and senior citizens.
All performances are produced by special arrangement with Pioneer Drama Service, Inc., Denver, Colorado.
Remember to Subscribe!
By Tom Coughlin
This weekend, all eyes are on the 64th annual Eastern States Weekend at the Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown, which runs from Thursday, October 23 through Sunday, October 26.
Action continues tonight, Friday, Oct. 24, with the Sportsman Eastern States-50, alongside big block modified time trials and heat races, plus 358-modified heat races. Hot laps start at 1 p.m. Saturday will offer the 358-modified Eastern States-100, plus the NEWS New England Wingless Sprints and big block modified open practice, with hot laps again starting at 1 p.m.
On Sunday, the event concludes with modified last chance qualifiers and street stocks, leading up to the 64th running of the Eastern States-200 for modifieds. This year, the feature is titled the "Will Cagle 200" and will present $24,000 to the feature winner.
Other Upcoming Events
Brookfield Speedway will hold its final show of the season tomorrow, Oct. 25, when it presents "Spooktacular Saturday." The card features crate 602 sportsman, pro stocks, slingshots, 4-cylinders, and a 50-lap enduro. Gates open at 11 a.m., with hot laps at 1 p.m. and racing at 2 p.m.
At the Saratoga Automobile Museum, this Sunday, Oct. 26, is the final day for "The Corvette Story, Speed-Style-Legacy" exhibit. After the Vettes leave, Pontiac will take over the museum with "Pontiac-The Dawn of Muscle," opening on Wednesday, November 5. One popular model on exhibit will be the customized 1966 GTO-Monkeemobile, which was made for the hit T.V. show “The Monkees.”
Looking ahead, several banquets and swap meets have been announced. Dodge City Speedway will celebrate its 2025 season at Checkers Out Speedway in Johnstown on Friday, November 7, with dinner at 6:30 p.m. On Sunday, November 2, Lebanon Valley Speedway will hold its annual Super Swap Meet from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., rain or shine. On Saturday, November 8, Elmo's Speed & Supply will host its 10th annual Swap Meet at Albany-Saratoga Speedway from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Farther out, Utica-Rome Speedway will hold its 2025 championship banquet at the Haven in Chittenango on Saturday, January 24, 2026.
Results From Last Week
Mat Williamson had a dominant weekend in Canada, starting on Friday night at the Brockville Ontario Speedway. In the 100-lap, $10,000-to-win Super DIRTcar Series feature, Williamson claimed the victory over Alex Payne, Darren Smith, Mike Mahaney, and Jack Lehner. On Saturday night, Williamson made it a sweep of the weekend by also winning the 100-lap DIRTcar 358-modified series feature at Brockville over Felix Roy and Gary Lindberg.
In the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Talladega Superspeedway, Kaden Honeycutt, driving the Halmar-Friesen Racing number 52, qualified fifth and finished tenth.
At Outlaw Speedway’s Dutch Hoag Memorial Weekend, Davie Franek won the 25-lap Empire Super Sprints 360-winged feature on Friday. On Saturday, Mike Maresca earned the 40-lap, $7,777.77 modified feature over Tommy Collins and Bobby Varin. Payton Talbot collected $5,077.77 for winning the crate sportsman feature. In the 30-lap, 305-winged C.R.S.A. feature, Dillon Paddock took the win, and Zach Sobotka’s second-place finish crowned him the 2025 C.R.S.A. series champion and Rookie of the Year.
At Hagerstown Speedway’s Octoberfest, Matt Sheppard scored the win in the 50-lap Short Track Super Series modified feature over Alex Yankowski and Anthony Perrego. Rocky Warner finished sixth.
Remember to Subscribe!
By Chris English
SCHOHARIE COUNTY — An ambitious commercial/residential development in the Village of Schoharie has gotten the blessing of the County Planning Commission.
At its Monday night, Nov. 3 meeting, the PC unanimously recommended approval of a site plan, subdivision and rezoning needed for the Mainbridge Project at 218 Main Street. It involves construction of a new commercial building to serve as the new home for the practice of well-regarded local dentist Dr. Hazem Elbyali with also other professional offices, and a total of 46 rental apartments in four new buildings.
Attorney Terresa Bakner and project Engineer Christopher Knox gave a presentation on the project at the Monday night meeting. It will be located at the site of the long-vacant Great American Grocery Store, which will be demolished as part of the development. Elbyali would relocate his practice from a building across Main Street when the new commercial building is finished.
Bakner and Knox said the entire project would be done in three phases that would take an estimated five or six years to totally complete. First would come construction of the two-story, 38,800 square-foot commercial building, and then construction in phases two and three of the 46 apartments in two buildings of two stories and two buildings of three stories.The apartments of one and two bedrooms would total 37,400 square feet.
Accompanying the construction will be extensive lighting, fencing, parking, Storm water management and traffic control plans. Planning Commission members asked a lot of questions about all aspects of the project but in the end seemed satisfied with all the answers given by Bakner and Knox and voted unanimously to recommend approval.
There will be public water and sewer at the new project.
"The project is consistent with the village's zoning and comprehensive plan and this is a great use for that location," Bakner said. "We want it to look park-like when it's all finished. Right now, it's parking lot-like."
Dr. Elbyali was praised at the meeting for the quality of his practice and for being one of the few dentists who will accept Medicaid and Medicare patients. According to those at the meeting, patients come from throughout the entire Capital Region, and one County Planning Commission member said she knew of someone from Rochester who came out for treatment.
"Well done," said one member of the audience after Monday night's vote to recommend approval.
"We appreciate what he's doing for our community," Planning Commission Chair Denise Lloyd added.
Bakner said the apartments will not be luxury but not technically "affordable" units either. Rents will be at market-rate, and the apartments will be built for "regular people" she said.
"Housing is needed," she noted.
The Village of Schoharie Planning Board is the lead approval agency on the matter and has held a public hearing on the project. Bakner said it's hoped that the board would vote to approve either this month or in December so that construction on the commercial building can start in the spring.
In another action from the Nov. 3 County Planning Commission meeting, members voted to recommend approval of a storage facility for a civil engineering firm called ING Civil on a 13.3-acre site along Route 30 in the Town of Middleburgh.
Kyle Rueckert, a real estate broker who is handling purchase of the site for ING, was at the Nov. 3 County Planning Commission meeting to explain the plan to members and the audience. He said it involves expansion and relocation of storage of construction materials and equipment for the company at the new site, with some storage outside and some and also some light repair in a 6,400 square-foot building to be constructed at the site.
Remember to Subscribe!
MIDDLEBURGH - Middleburgh high school Spanish 2 and 3 students last week learned about DÃa de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) traditions and worked together to create a colorful classroom ofrenda and displays to honor loved ones.
Remember to Subscribe!
GILBOA – Michael Faulkner won the contested race for Town Justice in Gilboa, while all candidates in Blenheim ran unopposed, according to unofficial results from Tuesday's general election.
In the Town of Gilboa's only contested race, Faulkner, running on the Republican line, defeated Democratic candidate Patrice Hallock for Town Justice, securing 57.0% of the vote to Hallock's 43.0%.
All other positions in Gilboa were unopposed. Alicia Terry (REP, CON) was re-elected Supervisor with 99.5% of the vote, and Jared Brueggeman (REP) was elected Assessor with 100.0%. For the two Town Council seats, Lester Parker (REP, CON) received 50.8% of the vote, and Dorothy Pickett (REP, CON) received 48.9%.
In the Town of Blenheim, all candidates ran unopposed with both Democratic and Republican endorsements. Don Airey was re-elected Supervisor with 97.2% of the vote, and Diane Ericson was re-elected Town Clerk with 100.0%. For the two Town Council seats, Anne Mattice-Strauch received 50.4% of the vote, and Renee Grabowski received 49.7%.
Remember to Subscribe!
The communities of Gilboa and Conesville were saddened to learn that Gary Ramundo had passed away. Sincere condolences to his wife Kathy and family. We will keep all of you in prayer.
I was so excited one day this past week when I looked toward my lake. There, perched on one of the limbs of a dead tree laying in the water, was a huge Bald Eagle. I got the binoculars out and walked across the road behind the garage. There I stood watching it for almost an hour. He was keeping a close eye on the water while his head moved from side to side. Finally, he took off and flew to the upper part of the lake. One cannot imagine the vastness of these birds until you see them with your own eyes.
Friday evening, I drove to the Trunk and Treat event at the Conesville Fire House. The wind and rain prevented the people from having the event in the parking lot. So, the firemen graciously moved all their trucks outside and everyone were able to drive their vehicles inside the building, open their trunks and set up for the arrival of the kids in their costumes looking anxiously for candy. Lots of adults were dressed in costumes as well. I was able to take many pictures. Prizes were awarded to many of the kids as they stood in a circle around the room by Halloween judge Judy Brandow. As the wind howled outside, we soon found out the power had gone out in Flat Creek and surrounding areas with over four-hundred customers affected. I was sure my generator was running. Meanwhile it did not deter the firemen who were outside grilling hot dogs and hamburgers for everyone. The wind made the flames from the grill go higher. We knew we would be safe with the firemen at the helm. Driving home I stopped a few times to remove branches off the road. The power had come back on as for some reason NYSEG was in the Conesville area. They quickly got the power restored on Bearkill Road and in Flat Creek.
It was another lovely family time here in Flat Creek for the Birthday celebration of Alicia Terry on Sunday afternoon. The celebration took place at Alicia and Bill’s home. In attendance were David, Heidi, Tom, Jonathan Pickett, and Polly Webster. Lots of love, laughter, and best wishes around the table as they enjoyed cake and ice cream. Happy Birthday Supervisor Terry!
Happy Belated Birthday also goes to Tom Miner who turned 80 this past week. A celebration of his birthday was held with family and close friends.
Congratulations to Stephanie and Luke Knap on the birth of a baby boy. Everett came into this world last Wednesday. He joins his older brother Ivan.
Writers in the Mountain presents stories on stage: writing for performance with Katherine Varga Nov. 7-Dec. 19 Six sessions online from 12;30-2;30pm. View the full course description and register at writersinthemountains.org
The annual Chicken & Biscuit dinner at the Conesville Firehouse was highly successful with lots of people in attendance after voting in this year’s election. It is ever so nice to be able to meet up with those you have not seen in a while and just have some great conversations. I met up with friends Barbara and Ted for dinner. Barbara’s husband Manfred is at Sunnyview for rehab at this writing. The kids from Conesville Sunday school did a great job of serving the food. As we walked by the buffet. Pies were in abundance. Thanks to all the adults and children for making the evening a success.
Flat Creek Baptist Church will be holding a Harvest Turkey Dinner on November 15, 6:00pm in the church hall. All are welcome and invited to attend. RSVP as early as possible to Karen at 518-966-6073
Gilboa School: November 7, Veterans Day Assembly 9:00am in the Auditorium.
Gilboa Town Board:
November 10, 6:30pm Town Bd. Meeting Budget/Public Hearing on Gilboa Fire Protection District.
Prayer Concerns: Continue to keep in prayer Patti Haight, Lucas (Tim Scudder’s son) Harold (Tom Miners son-in-law) Patricia Chatfield.
Birthdays: November 8 Bill Terry, Nov. 11, Carolyn Brown, Nov. 12, Patti Williamson Nov. 13, GiGi Wetmore. All of you enjoy your special day, Blessed in the Lord.
Anniversary: November 11 John and Willie Palmer. Congratulations.
Upcoming Events:
Nov. 8 Bake sale at Jim’s Great American sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary. If you can help by baking something or buying a delicious item of your choice it will be greatly appreciated. Nov. 10, 9:00am Veterans Day program at Gilboa School. All are welcome to attend.
Sunken City Cider Friday Nov 7, open 3-7pm, Saturday, Nov. 8 Yoga 11:00am-noon, Live music The Sun Dogs 3-6pm with a food truck on site, Sunday, Nov. 9 Lali & The Pops live music 3-6pm Food truck on site. The cidery has a nice war, cozy enclosed building for all to enjoy while listening to some great music.
Gilboa Museum presents their Holiday Boutique & Art show, Sunday Nov. 16 Boutique 11am-4pm Art show reception 4:30-6:30
Sunday Worship Services:
Gilboa Methodist: 9:00am located on 990V Gilboa
Flat Creek Baptist: Flat Creek Road, 9:30am Sunday School, 10:30am worship service with coffee and fellowship following the service. Ladies Bible study every Monday 10:00am. Workday Nov. 8, at 9: 00am. November 9 is Operation Christmas Child where after worship service we will be filling shoe boxes. Bring your own lunch for this event. All are welcome to join us in filling these wonderful boxes that go to needy children.
November 15 Harvest dinner 6:00pm, Nov. 26 Thanksgiving service 6:30pm.
Conesville United Methodist Chapel: First and Third Sunday of the month 4:00pm Route 990V.
Got News? E-mail pickee@midtel.net
Remember to Subscribe!
By Carolyn Bennett
GILBOA — If you’re wondering what Santa will bring you this year, Joanne McNally isn’t telling, but she will be on hand along with a dozen other holiday vendors at the Gilboa Museum’s Annual Fundraising Holiday Boutique, 122 Stryker Road, Gilboa on Sunday, November 16th to offer a festive array of holiday goodies.
Add to that the latest in the Gilboa Museum’s Small Works art show where you’ll find “a ton” of pieces from about 20 local artists whose work will make unusual and highly personal holiday gifts. The exhibition will be hung the week before so artworks will be available for purchase at the Holiday Boutique. Pieces will be available for sale all day. As always, a percentage of sales will benefit the museum. The boutique runs from 11-4, and the opening reception for the artwork goes from 4:30-6:30 the same day, right after the boutique. There will be refreshments, and an opportunity to meet many of the artists.
Joanne McNally is an internationally renowned Psychic Medium/Spiritual Intuitive, Teacher, and Lecturer. She’s a straight forward reader who uses a crystal to tune into an individual’s guides and help understand their life's path. You can request a private reading or buy a gift certificate for those on your gift list who are astrologically-inclined.
McNally will be joined by Shalimar, another psychic medium who, in addition to readings, offers Reiki and Energy Healing, Channeling, Numerology, Pendulum Divination, and Palm Readings.
If Palmistry isn’t your thing, but good bread is, Bread Too ! and will join up with other local gastronomic vendors to serve you homemade soup or tempt you with 15 flavors of fudge.
Bread Too! has been a NYS Registered Sourdough Micro-Bakery running since 2024. Enjoy fresh baked sourdough bread ~ an artisan bread with distinct crunchy crust and a soft, fluffy crumb inside! Glass artist, fiber artist and owner of The Glass Wisteria in Middleburgh, Cathy Feaster is a Renaissance woman and Bread Too ! is her newest feature.
Pair Cathy Feaster’s crunch sourdough bread with a sip or a slurp of Paulie’s crowd-pleasing soups. Gustoso ! And top it off with Adrianne McNally’s fresh pies and baked goods. As Rachel Ray used to say, Umm, Umm, Umm.
Ooh Fudge It wasn’t fudging it in 2020 they started; in fact, Renee and Jim Ackerman have been perfecting their fudge-making for over 15 years. With over 30 standard flavors, Renee and Jim now offer a nice rotation of seasonal flavors. Great as a sweet dessert after homemade soup and bread or as a thoughtful gift for the candy-lovers in your life.
Gilboa’s own Elaine Starheim is attending the boutique as a first time vendor with her original, small to mid-sized stained glass and fused glass items. Earrings, frames, holiday ornaments, and some lamps. Many are embellished with colored wire wraps. Elaine will also display some notecards and a reader's log/journal.
A lifelong resident of the Northern Catskills, Starheim has revisited her stained glass hobby in retirement, as well as adding fused glass projects to the mix. "A thing of beauty is a joy forever," and sparkling earrings and holiday ornaments are just a couple of the items you will find for the gift recipients on your list. Small home decor pieces round out the offerings, and perhaps you'll even find an irresistible item to gift yourself.
Kay Bashaw will be showing her small works at the boutique as well. Bashaw works in fused, using colored glass, frit, and paint. She follows this with multiple firings in the kiln. Her pressed botanicals are framed in both antique frames and contemporary frames.
Maggie Swanson of Rebel Quartz’s glass and stone creations add another dimension to holiday gift-giving with her attractive and inventive jewelry, including. earrings, bracelets & necklaces using quartz & other stones.
Barbara Hall’s Old Story Quilts make a perfect gift for family members and close friends who value tradition and creativity. A fiber artist, Hall creates art quilts. She combines her artwork with written stories. Her inquisitive explorations evolve into an artistic approach by personal experience and is sent forward to the art enthusiasts. Barbara states “Believing in my creative power has been transformative in how I live my life. Art is an integrated part of my daily life.”
Author Connie Spanhake of Conesville is back with a colorfully illustrated new book, The Village That Disappeared, a story about the flooding and disappearance of the Village of Gilboa for the growing metropolis of New York City's drinking water. If you haven’t discovered this gem of a mystery writer yet, start now with one of her exciting page-turners. Whether Dark Secrets, Finding Me or The Neighbors, give a Spanhake novel as a gift to the readers in your life and you’re bound to please.
A rare treat is in store for you as you browse Rare Bird Collage Cards, unique greeting cards that combine nature and imagination. These cards celebrate the delightful intersection of nature, wonder, and the unexpected, offering a charming way to connect, celebrate, and send joy. Crafted with a touch of humor and a dash of cleverosity! you’ll want to send them to all your friends.
Don’t forget a special gift for the pooch in your life. Check out Stelherdaiz Dog Treats, all natural canine goodies made using Boars Head bacon, Honey Crisp apples, NY cheddar cheese, sweet potatoes, blueberries, strawberries. Don’t forget to try their gingerbread, cranberry treats and more.
Remember to Subscribe!
CONESVILLE — Supervisor Bill Federice received 145 votes vs. 37 write-ins. Town Clerk Carrie Sutton won 220 votes with one write-in. Robert Proudman (168 votes) and Carl Fancher (137) each won reelection. There were 30 write-ins. Ward Apgar won 183 or 187 votes for Superintendent Laurel Mattice won 188 of 191 votes.
Remember to Subscribe!
SCHOHARIE - Schoharie Central School officials thanked the Lexington ARC for their donation of Halloween treats to students last week. They appreciated their generosity and for thinking of Schoharie students.
Photos courtesy Schoharie Central School.
Remember to Subscribe!
Town of Middleburgh
Schoharie County
Wilderness Search: On Oct. 28 at 8:39 p.m., while patrolling Dutton Ridge State Forest, Forest Ranger France observed a vehicle parked on the side of Anderson Road. Another vehicle approached and the person inside told Ranger France they were on the phone with two missing hunters who owned the parked vehicle. The two 59-year-olds became lost while tracking a deer they shot. Schoharie County Sheriff’s Deputies assisted with the search efforts. At 9:15 p.m., Ranger France located the two hunters in good condition and assisted them out of the woods.
Remember to Subscribe!
WRIGHT – Alex Luniewski was re-elected as Town Supervisor, leading a successful Republican slate in the Town of Wright, according to unofficial results from Tuesday's general election.
Luniewski secured the supervisor position with 86.0% of the vote, defeating a write-in campaign that accounted for 14.0% of the ballots.
In the other town races, Amber McDermott-Dickson was elected Town Clerk/Collector with 99.7% of the vote. Keith J. Kearney, who was cross-endorsed by both the Democratic and Republican parties, was re-elected Superintendent of Highways with 99.2% of the vote.
For the two open Town Council seats, Kim Shoemaker received 50.4% of the vote, and Joy (Heckman) Rigby won the second seat with 48.9%.
Remember to Subscribe!
Posts
All Comments
